The fresh young succulent shoots of fennel are used as a vegetable in India, as they are in southern Italy. Fennel seed (sweet, pungent and bitter, slightly cooling, sweet post-digestively, decreases all the dosha) is chewed after meals to prevent gas and gallstones and women take it, especially as a decoction, to increase breast-milk, alleviate pre-menstrual tension (PMT) and regularise menstruation, as it shows demonstrable oestrogenic activity. Its oil is decongestant and improves coughs.

References: Ayurveda Life Health and Longevity by Robert E. Svoboda - Penguin Books.